48 Book reviews problem and it would be difficult to find an encyclopaedic reference work with an indexing system to compare with 'Martin- dale'. Notwithstanding this provision, every copy is accompanied by a special card headed 'A guide to the use of Martin- dale- The Extra Pharmacopoeia', briefly explaining the system underlying the text and showing how various kinds of infor- mation may be located. Looking through the latest volume for changes to distinguish it from its fore- runners, its more international character becomes apparent. In the section headed 'Dermatological Agents,' a noticeable addi- tion is a monograph dealing with tri- retinoin (retinoic acid) based on the U.S.P. and accompanied by abstracts from over 20 original references. The section for 'Supplementary Drugs and Ancillary Sub- stances' includes various items of possible cosmetic interest such as sebacic acid and methylene chloride. Often this section is a repository for drugs that have ceased to justify their former acclaim as valuable medicaments for example, it was a little saddening, in a nostalgic reflection on the origins of chemotherapy, to find the asaphenamines now relegated to supple- mentary or ancillary status. Of course, this should really be seen as a natural conse- quence of major developments in therapy during recent years, for which we should all be duly grateful. However, mention of this transfer of an item from one section to another prompts a question on the selec- tion of Chapter Titles for successive editions of 'Martindale' this has always seemed oddly arbitrary and still does seem so! Admittedly, though, it is virtually impossible to envisage any better arrange- ment. Recognising the state of confusion in recent years over the safety-in-use of sucrose substitutes and synthetic colour- ants, it was intriguing to see how editorial policy coped with items like cyclamate, saccharin, amaranth and tartrazine. The relevant monographs give the essential facts in words delicately chosen to avoid offending readers in countries where atti- tudes to these controversial matters differ from those currently held in the U.K. This Chapter is immediately followed by one dealing with Fluorides the important compounds are adequately, though briefly, discussed and principal references quoted but, in addition, the new Edition includes well chosen abstracts dealing with water ttuoridation (including some indication of objections and alternatives). It is tempting to thumb the pages of a new 'Martindale' picking out topics in which one is interested, looking to see the terms in which they are discussed, whether problem areas are mentioned and familiar references quoted. Of toiletries concern there are, for example, the aluminium and zirconium salts, hexachlorophene, chlor- hexidine, organic mercurials, non-ionic surfactants. All receive attention and there is little reason to argue over what is or is not included. In general, technological claims made in Patents but not substan- tiated in the scientific literature are omitted as such claims are not always well-founded, the editorial policy cannot really be criticised though it is probably true that many formulators obtain a considerable amount of helpful guidance from the Patent literature. With this reservation, the choice of references appears to be remark- ably good considering the enormity of the task and also remarkably up-to-date. The latest Edition of 'Martindale' is a competent production in providing a reliable source for an enormous range of information, the technical feat of com- pilation and presentation could hardly be surpassed. Congratulations are due to the Editor and his staff and to the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences of the Pharma- ceutical Society of Great Britain. N.J. VAN AllBE